Proverbs concerning Life and Conduct

161 The plans of the mind belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.

2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit.

3 Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.

4 The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.

5 Every one who is arrogant is an abomination to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished.

6 By loyalty and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the Lord a man avoids evil.

7 When a man's ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

8 Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice.

9 A man's mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.

10 Inspired decisions are on the lips of a king; his mouth does not sin in judgment.

11 A just balance and scales are the Lord's; all the weights in the bag are his work.

12 It is an abomination to kings to do evil, for the throne is established by righteousness.

13 Righteous lips are the delight of a king, and he loves him who speaks what is right.

14 A king's wrath is a messenger of death, and a wise man will appease it. 15 In the light of a king's face there is life, and his favor is like the clouds that bring the spring rain.

16 To get wisdom is better than gold; to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

17 The highway of the upright turns aside from evil; he who guards his way preserves his life.

18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

19 It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud.

20 He who gives heed to the word will prosper, and happy is he who trusts in the Lord.

21 The wise of heart is called a man of discernment, and pleasant speech increases persuasiveness.

22 Wisdom is a fountain of life to him who has it, but folly is the chastisement of fools.

23 The mind of the wise makes his speech judicious, and adds persuasiveness to his lips.

24 Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.

25 There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.

26 A worker's appetite works for him; his mouth urges him on.

27 A worthless man plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire. 28 A perverse man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.

29 A man of violence entices his neighbor and leads him in a way that is not good. 30 He who winks his eyes plans perverse things, he who compresses his lips brings evil to pass.

31 A hoary head is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life.

32 He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.

33 The lot is cast into the lap, but the decision is wholly from the Lord.

Exhortations to Obedience

31 My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; 2 for length of days and years of life and abundant welfare will they give you. 3 Let not loyalty and faithfulness forsake you; bind them about your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 So you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man. 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. 8 It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. 9 Honor the Lord with your substance and with the first fruits of all your produce; 10 then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine. 11 My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline or be weary of his reproof, 12 for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.

13 Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gets understanding, 14 for the gain from it is better than gain from silver and its profit better than gold. 15 She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. 16 Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. 17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. 18 She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called happy. 19 The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens; 20 by his knowledge the deeps broke forth, and the clouds drop down the dew.

21 My son, keep sound wisdom and discretion; let them not escape from your sight, 22 and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck. 23 Then you will walk on your way securely and your foot will not stumble. 24 If you sit down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. 25 Do not be afraid of sudden panic, or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes; 26 for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.

27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it. 28 Do not say to your neighbor, "Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it" --when you have it with you. 29 Do not plan evil against your neighbor who dwells trustingly beside you. 30 Do not contend with a man for no reason, when he has done you no harm. 31 Do not envy a man of violence and do not choose any of his ways; 32 for the perverse man is an abomination to the Lord, but the upright are in his confidence. 33 The Lord's curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the abode of the righteous. 34 Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he shows favor. 35 The wise will inherit honor, but fools get disgrace.